Going on a bear hunt

To get ready for Going on a Bear Hunt, I have added some resources for home.

This link has allot of great free printable stuff for Going on a Bear Hunt.

Were Going on a Bear Hunt

This is a video of the author, Michael Rosen, reciting the book




I haven't quite decided when we will start this.  Probably during the Easter Break so some of the older kids who know the book can help us out.

Spring

It seems that Spring has finally sprung and that means Spring oriented songs.  It also means we are getting closer to outdoor sessions (start bringing a hat and some sun screen just in case).  I am trying to get more organized about putting up music here.  Bear with me, I will get it down soon.

Next month I will be visiting Low Ash Primary and Nursery to give a Spring based session to the kids of the Reception and Nursery classes.  I am so excited to see some of my older Mini Music Makers.


Have you ever thought that maybe music sessions aren't for you because you can't sing or are afraid to jiggle a little?  Read this post at the educator's spin on it for some great reasons why music sessions are for EVERYONE, no matter who you are.  They also give you tips on things to do at home and about the benefits your kids are getting.

I love this, we're going to do it soon.

)


See everyone tomorrow

Review on Town Talk

Our session had a 5 star review on Shipley Town Talk.  I didn't notice it until now.  Here is what they said:

"I took my son, 3, to Mini Music Makers at the Shipley Library, Ms. Jessika was wonderful. The group was full and she held the children's attention for the whole 30 minutes. My son's favourite activity is the Magic Bag. What is great is that all of the songs are traditional nursery rhymes so everyone can join in, even me.

Really great."

Very cool

Music as usual during break.

Just a reminder that we will be having sessions as usual during the mid term break.  Come along with the older kids if you like.  I hope to see some of my Preschool Music Makers who can't come to regular sessions any more.

Thanks for coming to see Bookstart Bear this last Wednesday.  It was really fun.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any real good photos.  If you would like to share yours, let me know and maybe we can make a board with all the pictures.

BookStart Bear time

Just a reminder that the BookStart Bear will be visiting us on Wednesday at the Shipley library.  We will be handing out certificates of completion for the Rhymetime sessions and an evaluation sheet for the month of rhymes.

Also, please give a look at the Bookstart Bear Club.  They include age appropriate books you can pick up from your library and other activities to help your child's literacy education.

Rhymetime Challenge Weeks One and Two

We are into the third week of the challenge.  I had better catch you up on the first two weeks.

The first week we focused on "Big Red Tractor."  Since we know this song well, I decided to use it to focus on steady beat.  As we recited the words, we used our instruments (and bouncing) to keep the pace of the song starting off at normal pace and then performed it fast and slow.

Here are the lyrics.  The colour changes as you please.

Bouncing up and down on a big red tractor

Bouncing up and down on a big red tractor

Bouncing up and down on a big red tractor

Bringing in the hay! YEA!

The great thing about this song is that it focuses specifically on rhythm by having the child bounce on a lap or by themselves as the song is sung.  Also, on the "YEA!" at the end is emphasised by lifting the young child in the air, giving the end a bit of a oomph.  I bet you just thought this song was about colours.

Last week we focused on Itsy, Bitsy, Spider.  We didn't really do anything interesting with the poem except use our fingers to help us emphasise the words.  Although nothing special was done, I love the children during this song.  Everyone loves it and it is one of my personal favourites.

The Itsy, Bitsy, Spider went up the water sprout.

Down came the rain and washed the spider out.

Out cam the sun and dried up all the rain.

The Itsy, Bitsy Spider went up the spout again.

Itsy, Bitsy Spider is a great poem to practise fine motor movement and improve dexterity when the poem is accompanied by the hand movements.

In case you are interested, here is a little blip about the history of nursery rhymes.

2014 a new year with new songs

I hope everyone had a great Christmas Break.  We will be starting up again this week, beginning with the baby Mini Music Makers at the Owlet Children and Family Centre.

New Songs for Winter Sessions.

I would like to introduce a new hello and goodbye song for the group this term.  The songs will be introduced slowly, by using the old songs too, but eventually we will be using the new songs as our official hello and goodbye songs.

Don't worry, the songs are still easy, but have a bit more to them.  Both songs come from the book "Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too" by Lynn Kleiner.  This is an excellent book and the songs can be downloaded from Amazon.co.uk

The Hello song can be heard here on Amazon.  Hello (Echo) Song

Lyrics (the lyrics in parenthesis is the child's echo reply):
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
I'm glad you're here today.

To sing (to sing)
And play (and play)
And now we're on our way.

See easy.

The Goodbye song, I admit is a little more involved, but I really like it.  The sample is here at Amazon. Goodbye Song

Lyrics:
We'll sing goodbye,
our time has come.
We'll sing goodbye,
now everyone.

We'll sing goodbye,
this song will tell,
That you make music very well.

I hope to see you all this week.